Category: SQL Server

SQL Server Blog Archives, by Peter Whyte (Database Administrator).
Includes: Database Admin, Management Studio (SSMS), Windows Admin, PowerShell, WSL, MSSQL Backups, Restores & more…

  • Get Database Sizes in SQL Server

    Knowing how much disk space your databases are consuming in SQL Server is an important thing to know and monitor as a Database Administrator. As well as this, we should be looking at future growth of database files, ensuring we have enough disk space for years to come.…

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  • How to Backup a SQL Server Database

    This guide provides a simple demo on how to back up a SQL Server database and explains three main types of backups in MS SQL: > SQL Server Full Backup > SQL Server Transaction Log Backup > SQL Server Differential Backup > Additional Notes on SQL Server Backups…

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  • Get Estimated Database Backup/Restore Example

    When you’re waiting on a database backup or restore to complete in SQL Server, we can run the script below to get an estimated time of how long the backup has left to go – We have one 5GB database here currently being backed up at the time…

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  • Get Last Backup Times for all Databases in SQL Server

    Ensuring your databases are regularly backed up is critical for data recovery in case of corruption, accidental deletions, or other failures. If you don’t have a backup, recovering lost data may be impossible. As a Database Administrator, it’s your number one Priority along-side ensuring your SQL Service is…

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  • How to Check Table Sizes in SQL Server

    In this post, I’m sharing different ways of checking table sizes in SQL Server. There’s many ways to get this information, and whether you prefer using T-SQL scripts for automation, or SSMS tools for quick checks, these methods offer flexibility for different situations as a SQL Database Administrator.…

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  • Drop Table if Exists in SQL Server

    The DROP TABLE command in SQL Server is used to remove a table from the database permanently. However, attempting to drop a non-existent table can result in execution errors. To prevent this, SQL Server 2016 introduced the DROP TABLE IF EXISTS command, which makes the process more efficient…

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  • Get Last Database Restore Date and Time in SQL Server

    This guide provides a script to retrieve the last restore date and time for each database in SQL Server. It’s particularly helpful for tracking restore operations or verifying backups during disaster recovery scenarios. The script below queries the sys.databases and dbo.restorehistory system tables to get the most recent…

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  • List All SQL Agent Jobs in SQL Server

    SQL Server Agent jobs are needed for automating tasks such as backups, index maintenance, and data processing. This post provides a SQL script to list all SQL Server Agent jobs on an instance, along with useful tips to help understanding. How to List SQL Agent jobs in SQL…

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  • How to Restore a Database in SQL Server

    Restoring a database in SQL Server is an essential task for any Database Administrator. Whether it’s part of a disaster recovery plan, setting up a test environment, or moving data between servers, you’ll likely restore databases countless times in your career. You can restore databases through the SQL…

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  • What’s New in the SQL Server 2022 Install

    SQL Server 2022 was officially unveiled at Microsoft Build 2022, an annual event aimed at software developers passionate about Microsoft technologies. The conference, which focuses on Microsoft Azure updates and other key tools, is a fantastic opportunity for professionals to stay informed, learn, and network. It includes a…

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